Issue 199 May 2012
INSIDE
NEWS
NEWS
NEWS
PAGE 18
PAGES 12 & 13
PAGE 17MARATHON EDDIE
THE MARKSMAN
PAGE 15
ADDISON LEE U-TURN
ARNHEM ANNIVERSARY
The voice of the taxi trade’s only independent organisation
FULL STORY ON PAGE 3
Law commission publishes long awaitedconsultation document
CAB TRADE ATCROSSROADS?
Grant Davis
Law Commission
Publishes
Consultation PaperThe Law Commission has finally
published its long awaited
consultation paper regarding their
upcoming review of the existing
framework of PH and Taxi
regulation. There has been much
deliberation as to its contents and
more importantly the ramifications
for us in London.
They state that they will be
looking into the legal framework
relating to taxis and PH with a
view to making it simpler and more
modern.
Mayor Boris Johnson has already
written to the Law Commission on
behalf of the London Taxi Trade
and expressed that our trade does
not require radical reform.
I have arranged with the Law
Commission for the United Trade
Group to meet with them later this
month.
Boris Re-electedWhilst on the subject of the Mayor,
I would like to personally welcome
him back to City Hall. We at the
LCDC look forward to fruitful and
productive partnership over the
next four years.
The election was far closer than
many predicted and I am truly
thankful that Jenny Jones ( Green
Party ) will not be part of the next
administration as she would have
been under Ken Livingstone.
Arnhem
Anniversary 2012As you will be able to read in the
Badge I was honoured along with
my fellow Committee member
Danny Sullivan to take part in the
London Taxi Benevolent Association
For The War Disabled trip to
Arnhem on 2nd May-6th May.
All together there was a convoy of
88 taxis which took the veterans to
Arnhem.
To be amongst such men who
sacrificed so much was truly a
humbling experience and one which
I will never forget. All drivers who
took part in this trip were a credit to
our trade.
A.G.M ApproachesJust a quick reminder to all
members that our AGM will be on
Tuesday 22nd May and we will be
joined by John Mason and Helen
Chapman for all your questions.
The cab trade is full of rumours
and gossip, so why not take this
opportunity to put your concerns to
Mr Mason and Ms Chapman.
As usual, there will be ample
secure parking and refreshments.
Editorial
2 Issue 198 - May 2012
Published by
The London Cab Driver’s Club Ltd.
Unit A 303.2,
Tower Bridge Business Complex
Tower Point, 100 Clements Road
Southwark, London SE16 4DG
Telephone: 020 7232 0676
E-mail for membership enquiries:
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: lcdcorg.wordpress.com
Editor: Grant Davis
The Badge is distributed free to the Licenced
London Cab Trade.
For advertising enquiries please contact the
office on
020 7394 5553 or E-mail: [email protected]
All advertising in The Badge is accepted under
our terms and condidtions. These are available
at the LCDC office.
Before entering into any commitment, financial
or otherwise, always remember to seek
professional advice.
The views expressed in this publication are not
necessarity those fo the Editor or of the
Management Committee of the
London Cab Driver’s Club.
Contributions for publication are welcomed
and should be sent to the Editor at the
above address.
The London Cab Driver’s Club Ltd.
www.lcdcorg.wordpress.com
LCDC AGM22nd MAY
@ 7PM
The Biscuit Factory 100 Clement’s Road
London, SE16
Issue 198 - May 2012 3
Reforming the law of taxiand private hire services
Clearer rules governing taxis and private hire vehicles could bring stretch
limousines and bicycle rickshaws into the licensing system but keep charity
volunteers and childminders out of it, the Law Commission said today.
The Law Commission for England and Wales, which advises the Government on
law reform, has launched a public consultation seeking views on proposed changes
to the way in which taxis and private hire vehicles (often referred to as minicabs) are
regulated.
The proposals retain the important distinction between taxis – which can “ply for
hire” on the street or a cab rank – and private hire vehicles which can only be pre-
booked.
But all vehicles would be subject to national minimum safety standards and, for
private hire vehicles, these would replace more than 340 sets of local regulations.
This will reduce the burden on business because, once appropriately licensed, a
private hire firm could work freely across the country, without geographical or
licensing restrictions. This would contribute to widening consumer choice and to
making services cheaper and more competitive.
The provisional proposals published today follow a detailed review of the current
law, some of which dates back to 1831 and is still in force.
Few of the proposals would affect the iconic London “black cab”. But outside the
capital, taxi numbers could no longer be restricted by local authorities and private
hire operators would be able to take bookings outside their own local area.
Licensing could be extended to limousines, motorcycle “taxis” and bicycle
rickshaws (or “pedicabs”), which under current law may avoid the safety and driver
training requirements imposed on taxis and private hire vehicles. But greater legal
clarity would ensure that volunteers who give up their time to drive elderly people or
childminders who collect children as part of their work would no longer risk being
caught by licensing rules.
Among the other provisional proposals is a requirement that all new taxi and private
hire drivers should have disability awareness training. The consultation also asks
whether there should be a specific licence for accessible vehicles.
And where drivers or operators do break the rules, the consultation suggests that
improved enforcement powers should be available, including impounding vehicles.
Frances Patterson QC, the Law Commissioner with responsibility for the project,
said: “Our review provides a great opportunity to streamline and improve taxi and
private hire legislation and we look forward to engaging with as many people as have
an interest in this varied and important transport sector.”
The consultation is open until 10 August 2012. The Commission’s provisional
proposals and consultation questions are outlined in the paper, “Reforming the law
of taxi and private hire services”, which is available on the Commission’s website
www.lawcom.gov.uk
EXCLUSIVE
4 Issue 198 - May 2012
www.lcdcorg.wordpress.com
Micky Walker
LCDC Member
JOHN GRIFFIN- OUTLAW?Everybody now knows about
Addison Lee boss John Griffin’s
outburst re cyclists. This
followed on the heels of his
incitement of his drivers to
break the law by using bus
lanes. Whether or not LTPH
withdraw his operator’s licence
would seem a no-brainer to any
reasonable person but
bureaucracy often makes
contrary decisions. Not that it
matters that much as a game of
“musical chairs” within AL
would ensure the company’s
operator’s licence would not be
endangered.
The object of bus lanes is to allow
bus operations to run smoothly. An
additional 70,000 PHVs being
allowed to use them could render
bus lanes redundant in this
respect. Nor does that take into
account the number of other
drivers that will see these vehicles
in the bus lanes and be
encouraged to also use them. A
taxi is as distinguishable as a bus
to other road users; a PH saloon or
MPV is not so distinguishable. So,
logically it would appear more
reasonable that Griffin’s real aim is
less to allow PHVs to use bus
lanes and more a desire to have
taxis removed from the bus lanes.
LEVEL PLAYING FIELD
Griffin has claimed that taxis and
PHVs do the same job and
should operate on a “level
playing field” and this is a call
that has also come from many
other PH operators.
Perhaps we should get together
with these operators to bring
pressure to bear on TFL to give our
two trades a level playing field? All
they have to do is quite simple. In
addition to current PH
requirements, all they have to do is
compel PH drivers to:
Pass a comprehensive
topographical knowledge test;
Pass an advanced driving test;
Be required to drive a vehicle that
meets current LTPH conditions of
fitness, including minimum turning
circle and full wheel-chair access
and other disabled-friendly
features.
In return, we campaign for them
to use bus lanes and to pick up
fares from the street and use taxi
ranks. It’s quite simple really. A
level playing field requires that PH
drivers be allowed the same
privileges as taxi drivers and also
be subject to the same conditions,
qualifications and restrictions. Of
course, what these PH operators
really want is not a level playing
field but rather just to share the
benefit of our privileges.
CHANGE IS NEEDED
TFL should take heed from this
fiasco and re-visit the PH review
and make some positive
changes. All they have done so
far is to put lipstick on a pig and
as we all know, irrespective of
the lipstick it is still a pig.
Taxis and PH perform the same
essential function – the
transportation of the public. So how
on earth can they determine that a
taxi driver needs a full 3 year,
enhanced CRB check, while a PH
driver does not? How can they
determine that taxi drivers need to
take and pass an advanced driving
test while a PH driver does not?
TFLs first responsibility is to the
public. However, it seems that they
are succumbing to the lobby power
of large PH operators and as a
result, the public interest is running
secondary to private interest.
None of us are daft enough to
think that PH drivers can be
decimated in one fell swoop but
change is required. By TFLs own
admission, a large proportion of PH
drivers do not renew their licences
and probably do not use their first
licence for the full period. It would
take nothing more than some
political courage from TFL to make
significant change to the benefit of
the general public. They should set
a date from which new applicants
for a PH driver licence would be
subject to a requirement to pass
the same driving test as taxi drivers
and pass the current KOL written
test.
The public would benefit in many
ways. A more competent PH driver
is the obvious gain. Less obvious is
that a PH driver licence would be
more valuable as it would require
more effort to obtain. Even current
PH drivers, who would presumably
not have to meet the above
requirements, would appreciate the
increased value of their licence.
This would increase the “self-
enforcement” element within the
PH trade to a level closer to that of
the taxi trade. As there would be no
such requirement on licensees
prior to the cut-off date, there
should be no short-term effect on
driver numbers, while in the longer
term both operators and customers
would benefit from better-qualified
drivers.
Once a PH driver has passed the
KOL written test, he/she should be
able to transfer the qualification
towards the full KOL qualification.
Presumably, attaining the written
test qualification, allied to the
vocational knowledge gained from
working a PHV, will encourage may
PH drivers to become taxi drivers.
This in turn will curb touting activity
by licensed PH drivers as being
found guilty of this would prevent
them signing on for the full KOL.
This would, in turn, curb the illegal
activities of PH operators in
satellite offices. Obviously, there
would have to be some
arrangement made for suburban
PH drivers and operators. This
could be based on a proportion of
a suburban KOL and perhaps
make these drivers subject to the
same geographical restrictions of
suburban taxi drivers.
This would presumably also help
with the KOL system itself as KOL
candidates would be able to obtain
a PH licence on completion of the
written test. This will put them on
the level of pointing after
completion of the Blue Book and
so driving a PHV will give
candidates a living while gaining
knowledge on the job. This could
result in a much smaller KOL drop-
out rate and thus free up
examiners for testing only serious
candidates.
Taxi drivers are more efficient
than PH drivers for the obvious
reasons that they can pick up from
the streets and know their way
around better. So, if more PH
drivers become taxi drivers and the
rest are better drivers with better
knowledge, then the travelling
public will gain and there will be the
secondary, environmental benefit.
The greater efficiency of the PH
fleet and enlargement of the taxi
fleet would off-set a reduction in
the total number of PH drivers. So,
neither PH operators nor the
travelling public should be
adversely affected by such change,
while both should benefit from a
more knowledgeable, law-abiding
PH trade. Meanwhile, a stagnating
London taxi trade should be given
the impetus and stimulus of greater
numbers and greater internal
competition.
All that is required is a bit of bottle
from the politicians and civil
servants!
FOOTNOTE:The idea of making the passing of the “written test”
is not my own but rather one I have nicked from a
fellow cab-driver and adapted.
Walker on the March....
6 Issue 198 - May 2012
Airport MattersBY PETER “THE CANNON”
L.C.D.C AIRPORT REP
Transport for London plans
to approve the introduction
of a fixed fares scheme at
Heathrow Airport. At the end
of April the LCDC attended a
meeting with TfL to discuss
what was in the pipeline. We
were advised that TfL hasn’t
completed the research that
needs to precede approval of
a fixed fares scheme, but we
were able to establish that
HALTS hasn’t been granted
any special favours.Above all TfL hasn’t granted
HALTS either formal or informal
permission to do away with
metered fares into central London.
We learned that HALTS directors
Colin Evans and Howard Kaye
have been constantly reminded by
TfL that all fixed fares arranged at
the taxi desks have got to be
based on metered fares combined
with a refund facility for
passengers who can show that
they’ve prepaid too much for a
voucher. Under current regulations
drivers who accept vouchers have
got to use their meters and if they
don’t, they run a real risk of being
prosecuted for Hackney Carriage
offences.
With regard to TfL’s plan to
approve a fixed fares scheme at
Heathrow, as a licensing authority
TfL is duty bound to check out the
credentials and business history of
interested parties. In answer to a
question from the LCDC regarding
the background and suitability of
HALTS, TfL said that checks had
yet to commence on HALTS or
any other prospective company.
Competition LawTfL has said in various
documents that individual drivers
on Heathrow’s ranks will not be
able to offer fixed fares to
passengers. Competition law
prevails at Heathrow Airport and
the most recent case law
emanating from the High Court in
2011 confirms the position. If TfL
reckons fixed fares transactions
arranged by HALTS or a similar
service provider are outside the
scope of taximeter regulations,
then in theory drivers who are in
business on the ranks should be
able to benefit from exactly the
same legal argument. In reality, if
individual drivers on the ranks
were to fix fares just as a HALTS
fixes them at the taxi desks, it’s
predictable that there would be a
clampdown by TfL and erring
drivers would lose their licences.
This appears to be an act of
discrimination on TfL’s part.
There is a school of thought that
asks if a passenger comes out to
a rank and says “ How much to
the millennium Hotel Gloucester
Road” , then why in TfL’s eyes
would the driver be wrong to say “
It‘s £76”, which is the fixed price
currently charged to SW7 by the
taxi desks. Obviously different
arguments would have to come
into play if HALTS didn’t depend
on its passengers taking cabs from
the ranks.
More on Competition Law
In summary, it looks as though
TfL is going to permit HALTS or
some other business entity to offer
fixed fares at Heathrow, but will
forbid sole traders who work on
the ranks to do the same. If this
happens, TfL will find itself
embroiled in the argument that it is
protecting fixed fare companies
from legitimate competition.
Individual drivers can provide
precisely the same facilities and
services as the ‘fixed price
merchants’ but at a much lower
cost. The arguments over who can
and who can’t provide fixed fares
at Heathrow aren’t going to go
away. Quite possibly, the
Competition Act dictates that the
LCDC, HATDU, Unite and the
LTDA are entitled to compete for
fixed price trade from their own
taxi desks ; or at least are entitled
to use the existing desks on a time
share basis.
NSL Heathrow NSL is the company that
manages the Heathrow Taxi
System and is the same company
that provides admin’ and technical
services to Transport for London.
Apart from being a BAA and TfL
contractor, NSL is in charge of
parking enforcement for no less
than sixty local authorities and is
the UK’s largest employer of Civil
Enforcement Officers. Is it possible
that NSL is in line to wrest control
of Heathrow’s taxi information
desks when HALTS contract with
BAA terminates in 2014 ?
Credit Card Surcharges
New laws on credit card charges
were agreed by the European
Parliament in June 2011 and the
UK government will be required
before 2014 to put in place new
laws to protect consumers from
exorbitant card surcharges. In
support of new laws the Office of
Fair Trading (OFT) has made it
clear that it’s one thing to pass on
a genuine cost to consumers, but
it is quite another to use
surcharges, particularly in the
travel industry, as a means of
squeezing additional cash from
transactions with passengers.
According to a OFT financial
experts, the actual cost of
processing a credit card
transaction throughout the
transport industry should be no
more than 2% of the basic sum
payable.
Quite obviously the revenue
streams of London’s radio taxi
cooperatives are going to be
adversely affected. The
cooperatives are top-heavy with
overheads and at least one of
them struggles to make an
operating profit of a mere £1,000
for every £1,000,000 (one million
pounds) of turnover. HALTS at
Heathrow isn’t a radio circuit, but
its survival in business at
Heathrow depends on having a
free hand to impose a credit card
surcharge of 11.5% per
transaction with passengers. The
fat cats who run HALTS have long
forgotten how to survive on their
£500,000 annual share of the gate
money. The 2014 deadline for new
credit card laws happens to be the
year when HALTS’ taxi desk
contract with BAA comes to an
end. BAA is bound to want to
replace the whole HALTS
caboodle with an organisation
that’s capable of enlisting a lot
more support from drivers.
Heathrow Taxi Marshals In last month’s Badge the LCDC
gave an undertaking to publish
anything Heathrow Police were
prepared to say in support of the
forty taxi marshals who never go
through the taxi feeder parks. The
editor of The Badge hasn’t heard
anything, but we are still hoping
for confirmation from the Police
that the marshals are providing an
essential security service at
Heathrow. In the absence of a
response from the Police, the
marshals themselves should be
able to provide the LCDC with an
e-mail address and other contact
details of whoever is in charge of
them. It’s perfectly reasonable for
Heathrow drivers to want to know
how the marshals combine their
marshalling duties with
observance of Taxi System rules.
In particular we’d like the marshals
to explain why BAA shouldn’t pay
them for their services instead of
rewarding them by permitting them
to by-pass the long queues of
drivers in the feeder parks. This is
a genuine offer from the LCDC ,
but we are certainly not holding
out an olive branch. We look
forward to hearing from any
working marshal or Heathrow
Police officer who has anything
positive to say in support of the
marshalling scheme and their
views will be published in The
Badge. As a last word on the
subject, the LCDC has good
reason to believe that with the
coming of the Olympic Games, the
activities of the Heathrow taxi
marshals are going to come under
a lot more official scrutiny.
www.lcdcorg.wordpress.com
8 Issue 198 - May 2012
www.lcdcorg.wordpress.com
LET'S FACE it, as black cab
drivers, we're facing more and
more competition from private
hire. We've just let everything
slide past us and have had a
good old fashion moan
without any true outcome. The
truth is, as a trade, We've not
been as fast to harness the
power of mobile technology as
we might have been.
At the same time, passengers
are changing the way they want
to book and pay for their taxis.
Not just in London but all over
the world. We are starting to
wake up and smell the coffee
and winning the work back but
we have still got a long way to
go.
This is exactly the reason why
Gary Jackson, Terry Runham
and myself created Hailo...to
help drivers like you and me
work as a team to win back our
work. This in turn will make us
more efficient and more
importantly, offer passengers
what they have craved for for
years and that is an unbeatable
taxi experience.
As most of you know, Hailo is
much more than a booking taxi
app. Hailo acts as a credit card
facility so you'll never lose a
credit card trip again. Plus you
can link up with drivers by the
way of sharing up to date traffic
problems and never miss out on
the work that's happening just
around the corner from where
you are.
You can also earn extra money
from our livery programme plus
our unique cabbie code business
cards.
There's a lot more to Hailo, so
remember to pop down to 51
Great Suffolk Street and meet all
the staff that are all taxi drivers
too. Pick up some receipt pads
and other goodies.
Working together will produce
fantastic results and this is only
the very beginning. I'll tell you
more in later editions of The
Badge
Winning the battle
Stuart Lockhart giving a demo to
some drivers in Great Suffolk St
10 Issue 198 - May 2012
www.lcdcorg.wordpress.com
Alan’s AngleMore London ranktemporary closure
Issue 198 - May 2012 11
Blackfriarsroundabout
King’s Cross
There has been some
confusion surrounding
this roundabout when we
approach it from new
bridge st. Can we use the
teardrop roundabout or
not to proceed into Queen
Victoria St after the left
turn was taken away, It
states buses only on the
road.
I hope I can now clear this
matter up, I spoke to TFL
and they have said" we can
use the roundabout and that
the signage will be in place
shortly". So we are not at
risk from any PCN's from
using the buses only lane.
Hope this clears it up.
Essential gas works need to be
carried out along Tooley Street
and the TM involves
suspending the taxi rank for
More London. We have looked
at variations to try and keep
this open but the Forward
Planning team are not very
happy with this from a safety
perspective.
LTPH and the planners have
therefore come to the following
arrangements;
- From 14 May 2012 to the end
of June, the More London taxi
rank will be suspended.
- A temporary taxi rank will be put
into place in the residents permit
parking bays behind the current
taxi rank (just on the other side of
the traffic lights). The residents
permit parking bays will be
suspended and the contractors
will put up signs to inform taxi
drivers (at both the suspended
and temporary rank).
- The temporary taxi rank will be
for four spaces and will still have
sight lines to More London.
- LTPH are also trying to get the
motorcycle bays suspended (that
are directly behind the traffic
lights) so this can be the head of
the rank. However, I am having a
bit more trouble with this and
these may need to stay. If they do,
then the head of the rank will start
just behind the motorcycle bays.
Taxis to set down
passengers for King's Cross
Station at the new set down
facility on Pancras Road,
which is directly outside the
new entrance to the station.
The old entrance to the
station at York Way is now
closed for arrivals and is exit
only, so passengers should
not be set down on York Way.
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12 Issue 198 - May 2012
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ARNHEM - RETURN TO ON WEDNESDAY 2nd May The Mayor Boris Johnson attended the
Union Jack Club in Waterloo to lend his support for the London
Taxi Benevolent Association For War Disabled trip to Arnhem.In total there were 88 taxi drivers who had volunteered to be part of this
memorable trip, along with their 160 WW11 Veterans. After making our way up to
Harwich we caught the overnight ferry to the Hook Of Holland, where after
disembarking at the docks we were met by an escort of Dutch policemen on
bikes who gave us an escort all the way to the Bronbreek Veterans’ home in
Arnhem, where we met up with their Dutch counterparts and along with Regional
Officials attended a Wreath Laying service.
The next day after breakfast we made our way in another police escorted
convoy to the National Bervrijdings museum at Groesbreek for a Remembrance
Service and also a two minute silence, which was moving to say the least.
I must say that being in the company of men who gave so much in the fight to
give us the freedom we have today was very emotional and to be honest on
several occasions during this trip I found myself close to tears.
Later in the day we attended the Grebbenberg Cemetry for a National
Liberation Service and wreath laying.
On Saturday we attended the Oosterbeek Airborne Museum, which was
fantastic and a complete eye opener to the dates and events which happened
during the fierce campaign by the Allies at Arnhem. I was totally blown away by
the reception we received from the Dutch people who approached the Veterans
at the Museum and made it clear in no uncertain terms that they were forever in
their debt and appreciated the sacrifices they had made in saving Holland from
the German onslaught.
On Saturday night we had a formal dinner along with many Dutch guests and
to be honest it was a cracking night as with the live band, we had some of the
Veterans take to the stage and give renditions of “It’s a long way to Tipperary”
“Lambeth Walk” and other great old time songs. After a heavy night in the bar we
awoke on Sunday for breakfast, loaded the taxis and after a team photo we
headed off in convoy back to The Hook Of Holland for the ferry back to Harwich.
Once we had left the ferry, I made my way back to London and dropped all my
passengers off at their prospective abodes. Slumping into my armchair at
around midnight with a cup of tea I reflected on the experiences of the past few
days and realised what a huge debt of gratitude we all owe these brave men and
women and that we must never forget it.
Issue 198 - May 2012 13
THE BRIDGE TOO FAR
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:Age shall not weary them,nor the years condemn.
At the going down of thesun and in the morningWe will remember them.
14 Issue 198 - May 2012
www.lcdcorg.wordpress.com
LONDON CAB DRIVERS CLUBANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
2012@ The Vibe Gallery
Biscuit Factory100 Clement’s Road
London, SE16 John Mason and Helen Chapman will once again be in
attendence to answer all questions from our members.
There is ample secure parking and refreshments will be served
Issue 198 - May 2012 15
THE COURTS have issued an
injunction to stop Addison Lee
instructing its drivers to use bus
lanes. The application,
instigated by TfL, also
instructed the minicab company
not to offer to pay the fines of
drivers caught using the bus
lanes.
This is not only a victory for Tfl
but also for common sense. John
Griffin, chairman of Addison Lee,
claims his company loses millions
of pounds a year because his
drivers cannot use the bus lanes
and that the situation breeches the
principles of free competition.
What a load of cobblers. Of course
Addison Lee drivers can use the
bus lanes – all they need to do is
pass the Knowledge of London
test, but then they wouldn’t waste
their time driving for Addison Lee,
would they? No, his gripe must be
the dent to his corporate image
and pride when his customers sit
stewing in traffic as we sail by in
the bus lane.
Griffin is looking for a judicial
review of the situation – and could
win it – but it is difficult to see how
he can claim unfair competition
with taxis when his cars are not
even classified as such – they are
just minicabs Well, I wouldn’t mind
having a go at taking out a few
appendixes but I don’t want to go
to the bother of attending medical
college for four or five years. If I
was banned from operating, even
though I’d read up on it, could I
justifiably claim unfair competition
against the guy who went to school
and got the qualifications? I don’t
think so.
Addsion Lee drivers are not
London taxi drivers, they are
minicab drivers who are not
allowed to take hiring’s off the
street simply because they have
not gained the qualifications to do
so. If they can’t accept that then
they can always enrol for the
Knowledge – it’s open to everyone.
This is Griffin’s Achilles Heel;
his drivers project the corporate
image simply because they are the
ones at the point of sale. The
image projected by them will form
the customer’s opinion of Addison
Lee. When the driver’s SatNav
packs up and the customer misses
the show he or she had booked
seats for then that opinion takes a
nosedive.
Addison Lee want to give their
customers the same level of
service they receive from us
(impossible), but if this is true then
we should demand that all of their
vehicles are wheelchair accessible.
Most other forms of public
transport are, so why should
Addison Lee gain a financial
advantage over us by not
converting their fleet to
accommodate wheelchairs? And
how will Addison Lee service the
Paralympics? We should get a
judicial review on this, but we
won’t. One day, maybe, our trade
will begin to fight its
corner��.one day, maybe.
Griffin is not stupid; he knows
that allowing 60,000 minicabs into
the bus lanes would totally defeat
their purpose – it would cause bus
lane gridlock. So let’s get real - the
underlying motives of his legal
moves are almost certainly just a
ploy to get us OUT of the bus
lanes. That would put his minicabs
on a level footing with us – the
best taxi service in the world. And
if we let that happen then we may
as well all pack up and try
something else.
WE LOSE ONE OF OUR OWN
A brave man who suffered
trauma and strokes in his life,
yet never stopped smiling and
joking, died recently. For many
years Dennis Peach was the guy
who used to do the collections
for the unfortunates at the
airport.
He always had a smile and a bit
of friendly banter with everyone.
He used to call me ‘Fatso’ (which
I’m not) because I always called
him ‘Tubby’ (which he wasn’t), but I
do know we’ll all miss him. Now,
we’ll be having a collection for him.
The taxi trade and the Feeder Park
will be much the poorer for his
loss. Rest in peace, Dennis.
The return of The Nut Behind The Wheel
www.lcdcorg.wordpress.com
May 3, 2012
Judicial review brought
forward to July
Addison Lee has announced that it
is writing to all its drivers
instructing them not to use
London Bus Lanes pending its
application for Judicial Review.John Griffin, Chairman of Addison Lee
said; “Addison Lee remains totally
opposed to the current bus lane
legislation, which is both unfair and
discriminatory. However, now we have
achieved our goals of bringing forward
the judicial review and bringing the issue
to public debate, we feel we have made
our point.”
Since the company advised drivers it
would indemnify them against fines for
entering the bus lanes, around 800
tickets have been issued.
In the recent legal action brought by TfL
against Addison Lee, the Judge noted
the company’s argument that the bus
lanes regulations constitute, “flagrant
discrimination in favour of Black Cabs”
against Private Hire Vehicles and that
this “�gave Black Cabs a significant
unfair competitive advantage causing
[private hire vehicles] drivers significant
loss”.
Griffin added; “We are confident that we
will succeed in overturning this legislation
so that we can compete on fair terms
with the Black Cabs. In the
circumstances and in the spirit of
cooperation, I have recommended to our
drivers that they stay out of the bus lanes
until our case has been heard.”
Addison Lee forced intou-turn over bus lanes
L.C.D.CLEADERS NOT FOLLOWERS
THE BIG summer films continue to
shine (which is more than we can say
than the weather) and this month see
the release of Marvel’s Avengers
Assemble (In America it’s just known
as ‘The Avengers’, renamed here so as
not to be confused to the cult TV
series / poor film version of the same
name in 1998) If you had the pleasure of sitting through Iron
Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Captain
America and Thor, you will know that in each
of those you see a build up to this film. So was
it worth all the hype? Absolutely
The story finds our hero’s thrown together
and put up against an outter world threat from
Thor’s mischievously wicked younger brother,
Loki, played with wonderful tongue in cheek
aplomb by charismatic Tom Hiddleston
In the years since the idea was pitched, the
filmmakers give all their characters their
chance to shine. Robert Downey Jr. still tries
to steal the show, Samuel Jackson, Scarlett
Johansson, etc, all do the best to keep things
moving along nicely. Newcomer Mark Ruffalo
is a solid replacement for the role of conflicted
Dr. Bruce Banner / Hulk but with much
needed added humour.
Avengers Assemble proves that comic book
adaptations can work in the right hands and
that screenwriters and directors need to have
some understanding of what they are working
with. A great family night out, especially for the
big kids!
Avengers Assemble (12A)
GREEN LIGHT
RED – Stop, don’t bother
wasting your money
AMBER – It’s alright, go if
you want. Or wait for the
DVD
GREEN – Put your foot
down, go and see it.
Film 2012 by Norman Barry
www.lcdcorg.wordpress.com
Issue 198 - May 2012 17
Marathon man Ed
HI THERE cabbies well it has been
another busy one and I hope you are
grateful for all the cabbie gold I have
arranged. Weird that I cannot water
my lawn because there is a drought
and yet there is a flood warning in
operation. Only in England. So Boris has been re elected Mayor of
London!! I think the only thing that shocked
people was how close Ken came to beating
him. Did you vote? I was at City Hall for a
marathon 8 hour broadcast and I took lots
and lots of calls but the one I remember
was a woman who said Ken couldn’t win
coz he had upset the cabbies. Goodness
you are powerful.
Someone else who is paying the price for
going against black cabs is the top man at
Addison Lee. (Dare I speak their name)?
He had advised his drivers to use bus lanes
in contravention of the law but has now
backed down and lost his government
contract to boot.
Last month I gave Chelski a hard time and
it hurts to eat humble pie. Well done to the
pensioners and it seems blue is definitely
the colour where football is concerned. Man
City look certain to take the Premiership
crown from Manchester United and that
hurts too.
Staying with football
So England has a new football manager.
Roy Hodgson is said to be adept at
managing expectations and getting the very
best out of mediocre players. That sounds
to me like he is the perfect man for job.
The cash strapped FA ignored the wishes
of the fans, players and most Newspapers
too by not appointing Harry Redknapp for
who the compensation would have been
around £10 million. [We got Roy on a free]
Whilst everybody is wondering how the
new manager is going to get Rio to play
with john Terry at a time when those
allegations re the younger Ferdinand
brother hang in the air, the country’s press
has already started the normal England
Manager bashing. You know what I mean
McLaren was the ‘wally with the brolly’
Graham Taylor was the “Turnip”.
We have had “Bonking” Sven and Fabio
[rightly] took almighty stick after England’s
disastrous performance in the World Cup in
South Africa. You get the picture. England
totally under performs and the nation is still
living off the fading memory of their victory
in 1966.
What is interesting with the appointment of
Hodgson is that the papers [or some of
them] have gone for him before he has
even started. He speaks five languages yet
the front pages of two of the red tops have
gone for his speech impediments.
Sun Headline: “Bwing on the Euwos” has
been roundly slated with the FA calling it
“unacceptable.” I do wonder where we are
in this country with disability discrimination.
Why was there no uproar when the same
paper ran the headline “Sling your Hook” in
relation to radical preacher Abu Hamza?
And why were red tops running headlines
like “Rumpy Stumpy” when referring to
Heather Mills. Is it ok to take the micky out
of the disability of someone we do not like? I
think it totally unacceptable. What about
you? Oh yeah-good luck Mr. Hodgson you
are going to need it
Oh yeah and I did the marathon
Eddie Nestor
BBC London 94.9
Drivetime: Weekdays 5-7pm
RumShop: Fridays from 10pm
Weekly Podcasts
UK Black
Manchester United Redcast
by Uncle Eddie Nestor
18 Issue 198 - May 2012
DAVID HAYE vowed to inflict a "slow,
concussive beating" on Dereck
Chisora after their controversial all-
British grudge match was confirmed. Chisora's manager Frank Warren
announced on Tuesday afternoon that West
Ham's Upton Park ground would host a fight
between the two British heavyweights on
July 14.
The pair sparked outrage when they brawled
in the press conference room following
Chisora's points defeat to WBC heavyweight
champion Vitali Klitschko in February.
At a heated press conference at Upton Park,
in which Haye and Chisora's camps were
separated by a seven-foot steel fence, the
two men exchanged insults and Haye
vowed to beat Finchley fighter Chisora in
July.
"He is the ideal opponent for me," Haye said.
"I am so glad he has got a good chin
because if he didn't have a good chin he
would be blasted out in first round. This
means I will give him a nice, slow,
concussive beating.
"I tried to knock him out in Munich and this is
the opportunity to shut him up."Chisora,
flanked by eight burly security guards, angrily
retorted: "I don't like him. David, you need to
get style. Your corn rows are out of fashion.
"Talk is cheap now. That was a lucky shot he
hit me with in Munich.
"David: you are winning 1-0 but come July I
am coming to whoop your ass.
"Your talk is cheap. You always talk but you
don't deliver in the ring."
The two men then exchanged another barb,
revealing they had seen each other in
London recently.
Chisora said: "I saw David Haye a couple of
weeks and he pulled a knife.
Haye responded: "I was eating a steak. It
was in a restaurant."
The fight has had to be sanctioned by the
Luxembourg Boxing Federation after the
British Boxing Board of Control withdrew
Chisora's licence following his antics in
Munich.
Haye does not have a British licence after he
handed it in following his last fight in
2011 - his defeat to Wladimir
Klitschko.
Warren insisted that he was not
undermining the British Boxing
Board of Control by going to
Luxembourg for the fight's licence.
"This is not the end of British
boxing," Warren said.
"I believe it will be a sell out, a huge
event. There are far, far worse
things happening in sport than
what's happening here.
"No charges have been made
against Haye or Dereck for what
happened in Munich.
"The hearing was put back to July
so Dereck will have effectively been
out of the ring for six months and
that equates, if he was a footballer,
to being out of action for 24
matches," Warren added.
"He has lost half of his purse in
sanctions and costs since the Klitschko fight.
"He has no qualifications, the next thing for
him to do would be to sign on.
"He is not banned from boxing. The fight has
been licensed by the governing body in
Luxembourg, which has the same standards
as the British Boxing Board of Control.
"It is the biggest fight of the year and the fact
of the matter is that the fight is legal, lawful
and will go ahead."
General secretary Robert Smith confirmed
the BBBofC will meet on Wednesday to
discuss their options.
However, Smith made it plainly clear they
were furious with another board sanctioning
the fight.
"We're having a meeting tomorrow and we'll
put word out then," Smith said.
"We're obviously not happy about it as it's not
what we feel should happen.
"Another country has come into our
jurisdiction and overruled us."
Love boxing... Love Buncey
BOXNATION
www.lcdcorg.wordpress.com
THE FLAT season is in full cry now
that the first two classics (1000 and
2000 Guineas) have been run. The
month of May will see Derby and
Oaks hopefuls competing in the
various credentials on the line. At
this stage it is not possible to give
selection for the Derby or Oaks
without knowing what will be in the
race but here are three horses to
follow for this flat season.APOLLO – (3 year old colt) by Galileo,
trained by the Master of Ballydoyle, Aidan O
Brien, has only had the one run as a two
year old and won very nicely beating
Newbury Hall by three lengths at The
Curragh over 7 furlongs on yielding ground.
I don’t think he beat much that day but the
manner of which he put the race to bed
leads me to believe he has plenty of ability.
Being a fate foal (May) I’m sure O’Brien will
take his time with him and he will be one for
later in the season, possibly Royal Ascot. He
has an entry in the Derby (33/1) but that
might come too soon.
FAME AND GLORY (6 year old) by
Montjeu, another from Ballydoyle. This
horse has two winds from two starts at Ascot,
one being last year’s Ascot Gold Cup. That
will be his target this year (11/4). He may
well have a prep race beforehand but at this
stage he is looking like my banker for Royal
Ascot.
PARISH HALL (3 year old) by Teofilo,
trained by Jim Bolger, this colt won the
Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. The colt
had a slight set back and missed the English
2000 Guineas. His breeding suggests he
will be even better over further and would be
a major player in the English or Irish Derby.
He will also be aimed at Royal Ascot. A
classy colt I like a lot.
THOSE GREYHOUND fans will know
that the Greyhound Derby sponsored
by William Hill is underway at
Wimbledon. The Greyhound Derby dates back to 1927
and during that time only four dogs have
won back to back Derby’s. They are Mick
the Miller (1929-1930) Patricia’s Hope (1972-
1973) Rapid Ranger (2000-2001) and
Westmead Hawk (2005 -2006). Charlie
Lister has trained the winner six times,
including last year’s winner Taylors Sky.
I caught up with the owner Steve Taylor and
he gave me the following answers to my
questions.
Age – 51 years old
Lives – Mansfield
Favourite Food – Indian
Favourite Restaurant – Any
What football team do you follow –
Tottenham Hotspurs
What got you into dog racing – As a lad
I used to go flapping at Chesterfield
Best dog owned – Taylors Sky
Best dog seen – Taylors Sky
Favourite Track – Nottingham, excellent
running surface and it is local
Least favourite track – Peterborough
(always trouble at that first bend)
Best winning bet – Last year’s Derby
100/1 Taylors Sky
Worst losing bet – Plenty
What have you backed in this year’s
race – Taylors Sky 14/1
Would you consider a match with Irish
super dog Mildean Panther – Yes!
Charlie Lister (OBE) master trainer, what
do you think sets him apart from other
trainers – Basically he is just a very nice
person
Best advice given – Anything Jimmy
Ferncombe tells me. He is just a class bloke
How would you get more money into
the sport – We need to get outside
sponsors
Will Walthamstow re-open – No
Finally give The Badge readers a dog or
horse to back next time out – I am a bit
fan of The Marksman and I know he is very
keen on Fame and Glory in the Ascot Gold
Cup so that’ll do for me!
Sponsors William Hill has increased the
winner of the Greyhound Derby prize money
to £125,000 this year.
Should any of our readers want to go on
the 12th, 14th or 19th May we have free
tickets available which gets you free
admission, a programme, a pint of Carling,
Smirnoff Ice or soft drink please contact the
office.
Anyway, Be Lucky and don’t give too much
to those awful bookie chappies!
The Marksman
Steve Taylor
Issue 198 - May 2012 19
20 Issue 198 - May 2012
www.lcdcorg.wordpress.com
Issue 198 - May 2012 21
Please complete this form and send it with your application form
(LCDC) Ltd UNIT 303.2
TOWER BRIDGE BUSINESS COMPLEX, TOWER POINT,
100 CLEMENT’S ROAD, SOUTHWARK
LONDON, SE16 4DG
0207 394 5553
Standing Order Form
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until further notice.
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until further notice.
Quoting Reference No ( )
To the account of THE LONDON CAB DRIVERS CLUB LTD,
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PO BOX 1134, London W128GG
Sort Code 20-10-53. Account No- 40450421.
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The subscription rate is £170 per annum. If you are unable to pay in a
single payment please make one cheque payable to “The London Cab
Drivers Club Ltd,” with today’s date for £56.67 and two post-dated
cheques one month apart for £56.67.
Send the completed form to: THE MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY,
The London Cab Drivers Club Ltd, UNIT A 303.2
Tower Bridge Business Complex, Tower Point, 100 Clements
Road, Southwark, London SE16 4DG
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms:.................... Surname: ......................................
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matters arising prior to the date of this application. Thereby declare
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Signed: ...................................... Date: ......................................
CLUB CLASS PACKAGE
AS AN L.C.D.C
MEMBER YOU
WILL RECEIVE:
� 24 HOUR DUTY SOLICITOR
EXCLUSIVE TO THE
CAB TRADEYour 24 Hr duty solicitor
hotline membership card.
Piece of mind 24 hrs of
the day.
� FULL LEGAL COVEROur fantastic team of City
Of London based solicitors
and barristers, experts in
Hackney Carriage and
road traffic law.
� COMPLAINTSAND APPEALSAs a member of the LCDC,
we will deal with any
complaint that has been
made against you by
members of the public.
Also we will attend the
LTPH with you on any
personal appeals that
would affect your licence.
� HEATHROW AIRPORTREPRESENTATIONWith our reps at the airport
working hard on the
trades behalf for a fairer,
and more safer future
at Heathrow.
� RANKS AND HIGHWAYSThe LCDC attend the Joint
Ranks committee working
hard for more ranks and
more access for the taxi
trade in London
� CAB TRADE ADVICEAll members can call the
office for any information
or up to the date news on
any trade related subject.
� MEDIA AND AUTHORITIESThe LCDC is always the
first to be called when the
media want the “ Cab
Trades “ reaction. The
Chairman is a regular
contributor on LBC, Radio
London, and the BBC.
We at the Club also
represent the trade at
meetings with
the Mayors Office, TFL ,
LTPH, Corporation Of
London, BAA, and all Local
Authorities in the Capital.
� HEALTH CONCERNSAre you concerned about
your badge and bill due to
your health? As a member
of the Club, we can
alleviate the stress by
dealing with the
authorities on your behalf.
FAIRWAY FOR SALETaxi fairway driver n reg 1996 red vinyl roof sun roof auto
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4 new tyres all fitted when overhauled very good condition, drives very well driver retiring, still has meter in it,
all ready to go to work, very nice cab, ALL FOR £1200
tel: 01304852700 or 07530349112
22 Issue 198 - May 2012
0208 732 5525
Also at Devonshire House Stanmore HA7 IJ8
Adam D. ElliottVincent House,
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SPECIALIST ACCOUNTANT TO THE LICENSED TAXI TRADE
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Pasta, chicken,
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Issue 198 - May 2012 23
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